Because it's the only peace that will last

Muslims say this every time they meet each other and usually when they leave. I love it because it isn’t a mere “Hello”; it is a blessing. Of course, as with anything you say often, it is possible to forget what exactly you are saying, but when I say it to my Muslim friends I try to be conscious to really mean it. I want peace for them.

I also love it because it so biblical.

It is part of the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:26, “The Lord . . . give you peace.”

It was used among the ancient Israelites (Judges 19:20, “And the old man said, ‘Peace be to you.'”)

King David used it (2 Samuel 25:6, “And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.'”).

An angel spoke it to the prophet Daniel (Daniel 10:19, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.”).

The Apostle Paul used it as a greeting in almost all his letters (Colossians 1:2, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”).

The Apostle Peter used it (1 Peter 5:14, “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”).

The Apostle John used it (3 John 15, “Peace be to you.”).

Jesus Christ used it (Gospel of Luke 24:36, “Peace be to you.”).

Jesus Christ commanded his followers to say it (Gospel of Luke 10:5, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’”).

God used it (Judges 6:23, “But the Lord said to him, ‘Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.'”).

Isn’t it remarkable to see so many biblical examples of this and yet as Christians we don’t regularly speak peace to one another? This is definitely something we can learn from our Muslim friends.

I’m hopeful that as this blog continues we can begin to understand a biblical theology of peace. If I can better understand peace then I can better speak one of my favorite greetings, “As-salaamu ‘Alakoum”.

**I recognize that I hardly blog anymore. I don’t know if I will start up again or not, but this post for some reason was getting hit with hundreds of spam comments so I decided to delete the original, but liked the post too much to just let it go. Blessings, Dustin

Many years ago I was riding with a friend through Cleveland. As we were passing a cemetery he said, “That’s where James Garfield is buried.” (Garfield was America’s 20th president and was assassinated in 1881 during his first year in office.) I immediately asked, “Can we go in and see it?” He graciously indulged my love of presidential history.

This past Christmas my brother-in-law gave me Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President. It is a fascinating book. Last night as I was reading I came across this quote from Garfield, “I have sometimes thought that we cannot know any man thoroughly well while he is in perfect health. As the ebb-tide discloses the real lines of the shore and the bed of the sea, so feebleness, sickness, and pain bring out the real character of a man.”

Today we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Of course most of my Muslim friends don’t believe he died (though some do and even see it taught in the Qur’an, but we can get to that another time), but his death and resurrection are central to my faith. Honestly, if there is no death and resurrection of the Messiah, I believe there is no hope that we could ever be forgiven and cleansed from our sins.

Garfield’s quote got me thinking about when the Messiah was crucified. The Injeel says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

While he was suffering terrible pain on the cross he was able to look past his pain and prayed for those who were killing him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

His death matters because 1) he was a perfect sacrifice, a man with a clean heart who was full of love as seen in his dying hours and 2) he didn’t stay dead but was raised by God to show the world that his sacrifice for sinners was sufficient.

I am thrilled that there is a non-European Pope. The major centers of Christianity are no longer based in Europe (haven’t been for a long time). There are more Catholics in China than there are people in Ireland. What a great day for our brothers and sisters in South America as they see one of their own installed as the head of the Catholic Church. I love it.

It is true that Pope Francis is the first non-European pope of the modern era, but do you know which country has supplied the most non-European popes? My beloved Syria. There have been six popes from Syria.

(It seems that all news somehow leads me back to Syria these days. I pray that Pope Francis will be a genuine peacemaker especially in the Middle East.)

But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 59:16 (Zabur)

This morning I was encouraged and inspired by this poem written by Musa Burki. It is a poem about the early morning prayer, fajr (it happens before sunrise). It makes me want to start my day focused on God, full of gratitude and praise. I hope you’re encouraged as well.

As we rise in the morning
Our souls possess a yearning
To fill our hearts with spiritual light
Kneeling as a humble servant in His sight

The dawn rings out a peaceful solitude
Rising from our slumber to show gratitude
Revealed words which emanate from the heart
A beautiful ritual for our day to start

Standing before Him in all His glory
While He encompasses our entire life store
Pleading and begging for a measure of grace
As we wipe the tears from our face

Prostrating and bowing in complete humility
Desiring to feel the mercy and tranquility
Releasing our fears and anxiety
Increasing us in our level of piety

We feel the trembling of our soul as it’s shaken
As the wind and the sun begin to awaken
Completing our spiritual practice at the start of day
Asking for our Lord to light the way

A wonderful contentment rests in our spirit
Obeying the call to prayer as we hear it
Our day can now begin with clarity and peace
Hoping that our love for Him will increase.